United Technologies awarded $6.7B contract for F-22 engine

By

James LaPorta

An F-22 Raptor soars through the air July 1, 2010, on its way home to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. United Technologies has contracted with the Air Force for sustainment services on engines for the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. Photo by Senior Airman Gustavo Gonzalez/U.S. Air Force

Dec. 15 (UPI) -- United Technologies has been awarded $6.7 billion in a contract with the U.S. Air Force for sustainment on the Pratt and Whitney F-119 engine for Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor.

The deal, announced Thursday by the Department of Defense, comes under the terms of an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract between the U.S. Air Force and United Technologies.

The F-22 Raptor is a 5th generation stealth air-superiority fighter with ground attack capabilities and is one of the most advanced fighters in the world. The aircraft has seen recent action in Afghanistan, as it aircraft was used in counter-revenue operations targeting Taliban narcotic manufacturing locations in the northern region of Helmand Province.

Work on the contract will be performed at multiple Air Force bases across the U.S., and is expected to be completed in December 2025.